Basketball

Bronny James couldn't help but show love under Parker Whitfield's new social media post on Sunday ... dropping a flirty comment in the replies for all to see.

James and Whitfield first sparked dating rumors when they were spotted at the Paris Olympics together earlier this month ... with the two catching LeBron and Co. during their epic gold-medal run.

If making an international trip to France wasn't telling enough, Bronny's latest Instagram activity pretty much confirms they're an item.

To those hating on Bronny James, John Salley's got a message for y'all -- pipe down!!!

The former Lakers center defended LeBron James' son and L.A.'s decision to pick him up in June's NBA draft this week ... saying straight up, all of the teenager's detractors are simply "mad they didn't think of it or do it" themselves.

"Listen," the four-time NBA champion told TMZ Sports out at LAX. "If my dad had the power, if my dad was the leading scorer, if my dad was able to take a pay cut so I could get a check -- it's like no other business."

Caitlin Clark was on the receiving end of a sick alley-oop from Erica Wheeler ... 'cause the WNBA star rookie just got an iced-out diamond chain from her teammate's jeweler -- and it's dope!!

A while ago, Wheeler -- who signed a multiyear deal with the Fever in 2023 -- shared a video on social media showing off a diamond-filled chain and pendant featuring her jersey number.

Clark -- who was right beside her -- said she wanted one, too. So, Wheeler made a call to her jeweler, the GLD Shop, to hook her friend up ... and they delivered!!

Justin Bieber, Lil' Wayne, and Snoop Dogg have done it ... and when boxing legend Floyd Mayweather finally returns to the ring for his scrap with John Gotti III on Saturday, there will be no lack of star power -- Anthony Edwards and Anthony Davis will accompany TBE to the squared circle!

TMZ Sports has learned Edwards and Davis, NBA superstars who just won gold medals as a part of Team USA in Paris, will be in Mexico City (Money got a heroes welcome!) on August 24 for the event.

Of course, Mayweather, 50-0, and Gotti III, an MMA fighter turned boxer, previously fought in June 2023 ... but the bout was called in the 6th round after all hell broke loose in and outside the ring.

Adam Sandler's proving he's still got the moves on the court -- 'cause he showed off his basketball skills in NYC Thursday -- weeks shy of his 58th bday.

The actor-comedian hit a court in New York to play a quick game of pick-up with some other guys hanging around the area ... most of whom look a great deal younger than the Sandman.

Sandler's not risking muscle injury though ... spending some time stretching before he got out on the floor and showed the kids who's boss.

12:33 PM PT -- Welp. It turns out Pitino was in a joking mood following the burglary ... 'cause he's now saying he did NOT lose a pricey bottle of juice in the process.

"The 1985 Petrus was a joke🤣🤣," Pitino said minutes ago. "I would never keep that on my desk! Saving that one in a wine cellar to open after the Johnnies go to the final four!"

Very funny, Coach. Very funny.

Rick Pitino is PISSED after a couple of crooks allegedly broke into his St. John's office and jacked some of his keepsakes ... mostly because the haul included a bottle of wine that comes with an eye-popping price tag.

Two men found their way into the legendary coach's Carnesecca Arena quarters around 6 PM on Tuesday ... and snagged "various items" before fleeing the area on a moped, NYPD said in a statement.

According to the NY Post ... $375 in goods -- including memorabilia, a sword, mask and bottles of alcohol -- were taken during the heist. When Pitino broke his silence on the burglary on Thursday, he explained he didn't really care too much about the memorabilia ... but the booze?? That's a different story.

Al Attles -- a longtime member of the Golden State Warriors organization -- has passed away, the team announced Wednesday. He was 87 years old.

According to the organization, he died surrounded by his family in his East Bay home.

Nicknamed "The Destroyer," Attles spent his entire professional career with the same team -- being drafted to the Philadelphia Warriors in 1960. On March 2, 1962, he shared the court with Wilt Chamberlain when the center dropped 100 points -- contributing 17 of his own.

The college basketball world is celebrating the birthday of a March Madness icon ... but it's not a player or a coach -- it's Loyola Chicago's very own Sister Jean!!!

The famous chaplain for the Ramblers men's basketball team is enjoying her 105th trip around the sun on Wednesday ... and she looks great!!

While she only became a household name following her Ramblers' upset win over Miami in the 2018 NCAA tournament, Sister Jean has been a mainstay on the university's campus for years.

Angel Reese x Reese's is officially official!

The WNBA star and the popular candy co. have finally teamed up ... and are now bringing fans a limited-edition collection of jerseys, outerwear and more.

The collection is awesome, it features custom tees, hoodies, cropped shirts and hats that all feature peanut butter cups and Angel insignia.

If Kamala Harris takes down Donald Trump in November's election, Steve Kerr says he's going to rip a page out of Steph Curry's playbook -- and wish Trump, "Night, night!"

The Golden State Warriors head coach threw out the trolling vow on Monday evening at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago -- where he helped Michael Jordan and the Bulls win a slew of NBA Championships a few decades ago.

Kerr stood at the podium for nearly 10 minutes ... and raved over Harris and her pick for vice president, Tim Walz.

Patrick Beverley is gearing up for another basketball season -- but, not in the United States -- the longtime hooper touched down in Israel where he was greeted by a bunch of passionate fans!

The 12-year NBA vet, after spending some time in Bulgaria, landed in Israel where he'll join his new squad, Hapoel Tel Aviv, for training camp.

Check it out, the fans in Tel Aviv couldn't be happier to welcome their newest addition -- greeting him at the airport with a big celebration.

Lonzo Ball hasn't stepped foot on an NBA court as an active player in 942 days and counting ... but it's a streak the former 2nd overall pick tells us he plans to end this upcoming season!

Remember, Ball -- a superstar at UCLA before being drafted by the Lakers in 2017 -- has dealt with several injuries, including a serious knee ailment ... that has forced him to the bench. Lonzo hasn't graced the NBA hardwood since January 2022.

But, when TMZ Sports ran into the hooper at LAX, he provided some good news for the Chicago Bulls fans.

LeBron James ain't done celebrating his latest Olympic gold medal just yet -- the Team USA MVP was living it up in Cannes with Draymond Green, on Friday ... and TMZ Sports has the video!!

King James -- who helped lead the Red, White and Blue to their fifth-straight first-place finish last week -- has been on quite the victory tour over the past few days ... including braving the rain at Adele's concert in Munich.

James was most recently spotted back in France just hours ago ... hitting up the La Guerite beach club to keep the party going.

Even babies fresh out the womb are fans of Caitlin Clark ... 'cause the WNBA star just got asked to autograph a two-week-old child -- and she delivered!!

The Indiana Fever guard met up with a mom and baby at the Fever Fore Change golf fundraiser involving players, coaches, staff and fans on Thursday ... and the rookie handed out quite the gift.

The mother said her little one was Clark's "biggest fan" ... and asked the 6-foot athlete if she wanted to hold the baby.

Kevin Durant is in the company of some new gold AND some stunning acquaintances ... 'cause the NBA superstar is celebrating his Olympic win surrounded by a ton of attractive women -- and he enlisted his teammate, Devin Booker, for the party!!

TMZ Sports has obtained some pics of the Slim Reaper's post-Paris escapades ... and it's clear he's on Cloud 9 after Team USA handled business and defeated France in the final round on Saturday.

K.D. -- who became the States' all-time leading scorer in international play during the latest run for the Red, White and Blue -- made his way to St. Tropez to keep the vibes high after the big win ... and it's clear he wasn't mad one bit about his surroundings.

Joel Embiid is adding to his medal collection -- just days after winning gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the NBA star was awarded the "Order of Valor" in his home country of Cameroon.

The special moment happened on Wednesday in the Central African country ... with the Sixers center surrounded by fans as he made his way to meet Cameroon President Paul Biya.

Once Embiid entered the building, he was approached by President Biya, who greeted him with the Medal of Commander of the Order of Valor -- an honor given to Cameroon natives who have made "exceptional contributions in the fields of arts, science, agriculture, commerce, or industry."